Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is American politician who served as the 44th President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.

Of note, President Obama is an avid sports fan. As a student at Punahou High School in Hawaii, Obama played varsity sports. The Topps trading card company has also made basketball trading cards of the President.

The Huskies meet United States President Barack Obama on April 28, 2009 after winning the NCAA women's championships.

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Family and personal life

Barack Obama played basketball at Punahou High School in Hawaii.

Obama was known as "Barry" in his youth, but asked to be addressed with his given name during his college years.[1] Besides his native English, Obama speaksIndonesian at the conversational level, which he learned during his four childhood years in Jakarta.[2] He plays basketball, a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team.[3] His brother in law, Craig Robinson was drafted in the fourth round of the 1983 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.[4] His daughters, Malia and Sasha also play hoops.

NCAA brackets

In 2009, he successfully picked North Carolina to win the NCAA Final Four.[5] He reviewed his selections with press secretary Robert Gibbs, an Auburn, Alabama native. ESPN.com senior writer Andy Katz was at the White House for the Presidential predictions and disagreed on two of the predictions in the bracket. Katz thought the Pittsburgh Panthers would win the tournament, rather than North Carolina.

The 2010 NCAA Final Four predictions included Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky and Villanova.[6] For the 2011 NCAA Final Four, President Obama predicted that Kansas would win the tournament.[7]

NBA support

During Obama’s campaign in 2008, LeBron James donated money to Obama's campaign. Baron Davis hosted a fund raiser for Obama in California.[8]

WNBA championship ring

June 29, 2011: Barack Obama holds up his championship ring with Seattle Storm basketball players Sue Bird, (left) and Swin Cash (right). The President welcomed the 2010 WNBA Champion Seattle Storm at the Rose Garden of the White House.

In June 2011, President Obama invited the 2010 WNBA champion Seattle Storm to the White House. He stated that the franchise provided a good example for young girls with big dreams. He praised the Storm for the community service they perform and stated that being champions did not end when they step off the court. The Storm presented the President with a championship ring.